Carnival fraternity mourns loss of Hart

UPDATED:

Legendary mas man, Edmond Hart, died yesterday morning after falling ill on Thursday evening.

According to Harts Carnival’s Facebook page, the 94-year-old became ill and passed away at the San Fernando General Hospital just hours later. He left behind his wife Judy, his six children Karen, Maritza, Thais, Aixa, Luis and Gerald, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

“At this time, we sincerely appreciate all the kind words and prayers from our family, friends and fellow masqueraders... Your memory will never be cast away and Carnival will never be the same without you. Rest in Peace Edmond,” a Facebook post said.

In a release, Culture Minister, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, extended her condolences to the families of the mas icons Edmond Hart and Neville Aming, also 94, who died last Friday at a private nursing home.

She said, “Both made sterling contributions to the Carnival mas fraternity, and their legacies should remind us of the beauty of living and enjoying life. Their lives embodied the words of the late Steve Jobs, who said, ‘Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.’”

Gadsby-Dolly said she hoped their passion would inspire creativity and perseverance in the mas sector and in the lives of those they touched.

Hart grew up in San Fernando but moved to Port of Spain in the 1950s where he played mas with Saldenah and later worked alongside bandleader Bobby Ammon. From 1955 to 1961 he helped Ammon produce six bands so when Ammon resigned in 1961, Hart became the bandleader and the band became Harts Mas Band.

In 1992, Edmond produced his final band and his children – Gerald, Luis and Thais – formed their own band, Young Harts, presenting a tribute to their late mother, Lil. A few years later they dropped “Young” and continued the Hart mas tradition.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Legendary masman Edmond Hart of HARTS Carnival passed away this morning at the San Fernando General Hospital.

The announcement was made this afternoon in a statement posted by the carnival band on Facebook.

Hart, 94, fell ill late last evening. He leaves behind his wife, Judy, six children Karen, Maritza, Thais, Aixa, Luis and Gerald, as well as eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The mas band shared, “At this time, we sincerely appreciate all the kind words and prayers from our family, friends and fellow masqueraders.”

Funeral arrangmenets will be made public in the coming days.